Nothing says ‘yuletide cheer’ quite like a luxury hamper brimming with foodie treats – and this year’s crop is more decadent and delicious than ever. From traditional delights served up in a wicker basket to more quirky offerings and organic, vegetarian alternatives, there’s a hamper to keep every member of the family merry this festive season. We lift the lid on the best luxury Christmas hampers to suit all tastes and budgets for 2023.
The River Café
2023 Gift Box - Extra Large
£1,250
For an all-out festive extravaganza – and a joyful, rainbow-hued one at that – the River Café never disappoints. The Extra Large Box is laden with Italian delicacies and is surely the ultimate luxury hamper to buy for Christmas. Amongst the colourful packaging you’ll find limited-edition chocolates by chocolatier Gabriella Cugno, Pietro Romanengo fruit jellies from Genoa and walnut & chocolate cantucci. But it’s not just for the sweet-toothed. Other delights include Petrilli tomatoes and El Capricho anchovies, spiced negroni and Vin Santo from the Capezzana Estate. But how to serve them? That’s sorted too, with homewares such as Venetian linen cocktail napkins, a hand-blown Carlo Moretti glass bowl and a tray by architect Gaetano Pesce for Corsi Design all included. A true la dolce vita Christmas.
Poon’s
Deluxe Gift Hamper
£98
Amy Poon grew up in a restaurant family, with her father Bill, a seventh-generation chef, opening Poon’s of Covent Garden in 1976. Amy has since relaunched the brand with pop-ups and a successful door-to-door service, delivering her signature wontons, sauces and oils nationwide. Now you can bring a Chinese twist to your Christmas feasting with one of her hampers. The Deluxe hamper includes four of Poon’s famous sauces (the Extraordinary Chilli Oil, Premium First Extract Soy Sauce, Chilli Oil and WO Sauce), plus there’s a trio of wind-dried meats made to the same family recipe since 1970, three tea towels and a set of ten Poon’s original artwork postcards, including original artwork from Phoebe Rutherford. All beautifully presented in a reusable magnetic red gifting box.
Ottolenghi
The Holiday Hamper
£280
While Yotam Ottolenghi might not be around to cater your Christmas feast himself, this hamper from his renowned deli is the next best thing. Packed with yuletide goodies, it will easily see you through from pre-Christmas drinks to Boxing Day breakfast in bed – and beyond. Festive nibbles are taken to the next level with the likes of rosemary spiced nuts, lemon and chilli preserved olives, shortbread and nougat, while your cooking will get some extra zing courtesy of their sherry vinegar and olive oil. As for breakfast? The signature granola is insanely good, so too the lemon and vanilla marmalade – or how about a slice of Panettone classico or Christmas cake? Happy holidays!
Selfridges
The Christmas Day Hamper
£350
Every year Selfridges offers a great selection of hampers, ranging from The Big Christmas Hamper (at £2,500 and stuffed full of 80 items, it’s not for the faint-hearted) to wooden wine and cheese boxes. The Christmas Day Hamper is a joy-giver, with everything you need to make the big day go with a swing (and it means less cooking and prepping… ). Start as you mean to go on with Buck’s Fizz or a spiced orange hot chocolate. Other curated highlights include a Wiltshire ham, Cheddar truckle and potted Stilton, every manner of sweet treat including, of course, their famous Christmas pudding packed with fruit and ready to be set alight. You’ll also find a few bottles to get you in the Christmas spirit, from their own-label Champagne to Malbec and a bottle of organic white wine.
Harvey Nichols
Snowed In Hamper
£200
There can be nothing more dreamy than the concept of being snowed in… A winter wonderland outside while you snuggle down in front of a roaring fire. Harvey Nichols’ Snowed In Hamper adds to the romance. The hamper bills itself as “your grown-up sleepover kit” and it is just that. There’s a bottle of Premier Cru Champagne, plus a bottle each of Montagne Saint-Émilion 2018 and a Pouilly-Fumé 2019; those who prefer a cup of something warm can choose from the decadently-delicious hot chocolate, Christmas coffee or tea blend, made all the more delicious with Chocolate & Dulce de Leche biscuits to dunk in. Indeed, no cosy night in would be complete without a selection of snacks and HN has you covered, from chilli and lime cashews and smoked almonds to the Chocolate and Amaretti Panettone and caramel shortbread. Now all you need is snow…
Toklas
Premium Hamper
£150
Toklas Bakery, the sister site of Toklas Restaurant and Bar just off the Strand, has become the go-to for out-of-this-world sourdough and viennoiserie, the likes of their light and fruity Tortan and their sour cherry swirls. So when they do a festive hamper, you take note, especially if you’ve a sweet tooth. It’s full of sugary treats and confectionery – all fresh from the bakery. Buttery mince pies, warming ginger cookies, crumbling shortbread, Amaretti biscuits, a stollen loaf and a festive cake… And it wouldn’t be a Toklas celebration without their marmalade and granola. Neal’s yard cheese and crackers are the icing on the cake. Available for order/collection from December.
Fortnum & Mason
The Festive Breakfast Hamper
£220
The undisputed grande dame when it comes to Christmas hampers, you can’t go wrong with Fortnum’s – even the late Queen gave it her seal of approval, with the department store the only place she ever went to do her Christmas shopping. New for this year is their Festive Breakfast offering, ensuring that your Christmas day gets off to a splendid start. Lift the lid on this hamper and you’ll find a selection of breakfast-brunch delights including Scottish smoked salmon and caviar, orange & Champagne marmalade and Christmas pudding preserve, coffee, Pandoro shortbread and of course a bottle of Extra Brut Blanc de Noir Champagne. The festive breakfast of champions.
Claridge’s
The Burlington Hamper
£995
For an all-out hamper extravaganza, it has to be Claridge’s The Burlington. Bubbles come in the form of Laurent-Perrier (there’s a La Cuvée Brut and a Rosé), though if you prefer cocktails, there’s gin, of course, plus a pair of beautiful martini glasses, a cocktail shaker and Claridge’s famous cocktail recipe book. But it’s not all about drinking. You’ll find olives, nuts, biscuits, truffles galore, plus the hotel’s secret-recipe Christmas pudding which is exquisitely boxed and ribboned as if it were a jewel, while the Art Deco crackers will ensure any party goes with a stylish swing. For something a little more modest, we’re loving The Mews (£150), full of exclusive-to-Claridge’s products that are as perfect for afternoon tea as they are for after-dinner drinks.
Paxton & Whitfield
12 Days of Christmas Hamper
£80
Cheese is delicious all year round, but especially so at Christmas. Paxton & Whitfield – London’s legendary cheesemongers, who have been selling cheese for over 225 years and have held seven Royal Warrants – know this better than anyone, which explains why their 12 Days of Christmas hamper is so popular. You’ll find a dozen of their artisan cheeses and festive favourites, delivered in a large gift box. There’s a buttery Celtic Soft; a creamy Hundred Dram Cheddar, plus that festive staple, a rich and herby Paxton & Whitfield Stilton. Add to this all the best accompaniments including a fig ball, quince preserve, apricot and cranberry chutney, sourdough crispbreads and rosemary and sea salt biscuits. Mini gingerbread men and sea salt fudge are the perfect finale for a very happy Cheesemas.
Liberty
The Strawberry Thief Heritage Suitcase Hamper
£125
Never one to follow the pack, Liberty is known for offering alternatives to the more traditional wicker basket in the shape of smart suitcases for their Christmas hampers, usually covered in one of their famous archive fabrics. Their latest offering is ablaze with the Strawberry Thief print, which was designed by William Morris in 1883. Inside it is jam-packed with treats from the department store’s Heritage food collection, including all-butter shortbread biscuits, handmade salted caramel and milk sea salt chocolate, sea salt caramel truffles and a Songthrush and Berries English Breakfast Tea Tin. With the keepsake suitcase, this is a delightful gift.
DELLI
Do Christmas DIFFERENTLLI Hamper
£35
DELLI, the app from the team behind Depop, allows you to shop the next generation of independent food and drink brands from micro bakers to pickle purveyors, small-batch olive oil producers to craft drink makers. As you’d expect, their hamper – actually more of a box in this case – is full of small-batch, unique products “all made by real people”. Available to buy on the app, it’s been curated with the festive entertaining season in mind, so you’ll find Pump Street gingerbread chocolate alongside OMNI Collective smoked olives and Happy Place Provisions x Lamirir Harissa cheesy crackers, amongst other delicacies. Also included is Black Lines Oatnog – a deliciously creamy but dairy-free concoction of winter spices and buttery rum. Christmas in a bottle.
Melrose & Morgan
The 12 Days of Christmas Hamper
£595
The north London deli, artisan bakery and gourmet grocery does a fantastic festive hamper and the 12 Days of Christmas iteration is the height of holiday luxury. Packed in the pretty cane hamper basket, you’ll find Michael Gonet Champagne, wines and a bottle of mulled wine syrup to get the party started. Serve your drinks with a smorgasbord of savoury nibbles including Secret Smokehouse smoked salmon, Cobble Lane-cured charcuterie, harissa spiced nuts, a festive cheese board and the most moreish truffle crisps you’ve ever tasted. The sweet-toothed are well catered for too. Dark chocolate Florentines, truffles, a ginger and cranberry loaf cake, mince pies with Somerset brandy butter… But the showstopper has to be the traditional pudding, packed full of vine fruits, warming spices, brandy and a glug of stout for a truly deep, dark, rich pudding.
Panzer’s
Angel’s Delight
£250
Proper London foodies all know about Panzer’s, the legendary Jewish food hall hidden away behind Regent’s Park. This year, there’s a brilliant selection of decadent hampers to choose from. Our top pick is the Angel’s Delight (and not just for the name). Billing itself as the ultimate gift “for the angel in your life who deserves a hamper full of extravagant culinary delights”, it is packed with mouthwatering surprises “ for effortless yet glamorous entertaining over the holidays”. Beneath the smart dark-green-and-pink packaging, you’ll find their famous smoked salmon, cheeses, a nut selection box, truffles, mince pies and, of course, Nana Lily’s luxury Christmas fruit cake and sticky toffee pudding. A half bottle of Pierre Mignon Brut Premier Cru Champagne and a bottle of LBV Delaforce Port are also included.
Daylesford Organic
Christmas Pantry Hamper
£295
There’s nothing nicer than knowing that you’ve got friends and family coming over and that you’re stocked to the brim with drinks, nibbles and delicacies. Daylesford’s Pantry Hamper will ensure you’re always prepared for any surprise visits, with no last-minute dashes to the supermarket needed. Inside the linen-lined chic white wicker basket, you’ll find all manner of treats including organic preserves, biscuits and cheeses to be enjoyed with tea, rich Arabica coffee, Prosecco and gently matured sloe gin. What’s more, for every hamper sold they promise to dedicate a native tree sapling as part of their ongoing commitment to increase wild habitats and diversity.
Abel & Cole
Artisan Vegetarian Christmas Hamper
£140
They might be best known for their doorstep deliveries of organic and wild groceries, but Abel & Cole also produce excellent Christmas hampers, which pull together the best of their ethical produce into one smart package. Everything in this veggie hamper is organic, meaning you can feast meat-free over the festivities. Within the traditional wicker basket you’ll discover every manner of artisan cheese, from the Godminster’s black truffle vintage cheddar to their unique Brighton Blue and Cenarth Brie. best eaten with the handmade Fig & Walnut Savoury Biscuits and Cheddar & Chive Biscuits from the Authentic Bread Company. For a sugary pick-me-up, the mini organic mince pies are best nibbled with a glass of the Davenport Limney Estate sparkling wine or Chateau Rochecolombe Cotes du Rhone. Cheers to that!
Brindisa
Christmas Hamper
£250
If you know your paella from your panceta, your manchego from your Manzanilla, you’ll likely love this year’s hamper offering from Brindisa, the much-loved purveyor of high quality Spanish food. Open the lid of this wicker basket and marvel at all their best-loved products, from the famous Iberico jamon and chorizo right through to the smoked Marcona almonds and soft-toasted honey and Marcona almond turron, all washed down with an earthy red wine or a crisp glass of Cava. Word of warning: their olives and Perello cocktail gherkins are completely addictive, as are the black truffle crisps, so you might want to keep those to yourself! No festive fiesta would be complete without it.
